We live in the "now" . But the "now" may not be the best way to plan a major home project. Some projects are indeed best completed in one full swoop. Others should be completed one room at a time.
1. Manage your wishlist:
Design and renovation projects can get messy. No doubt about it. Are you prepared for a semi-functioning bathroom or kitchen? Are you prepared to move out temporarily (in the case of refinishing your floors, for instance?) Is it really the best time to change your front door when it's below zero outside or can you wait for Spring?
Managing your wishlist can be challenging but it IS do-able. If you cannot have everything accomplished immediately, know that it can all be accomplished in stages. Maybe those floors can be refinished while you're camping that week in May? No fumes to contend with, no foot traffic, proper curing time and you come home from vacation relaxed, happy and to brand new floors!
2. Budget:
We all have one. Ok, most of us have one. Do you know yours? We always recommend you plan, plan, plan how much you want to spend. And know your prices. There is nothing more heart breaking for me than to tell a client they cannot have the project of their dreams due to their budget.
You've shown me the photo of your dream kitchen. Fantastic! You've done your homework and know the cabinets are not only functional but affordable! YAY! That flooring, sink, back splash and tap set however, not so much. But you LOVE that flooring. Well, me too. But at $ 18/sq foot it's just not feasible right now. BUT I love what I do and am constantly researching new products, clearance sales and alternates so rather than break your heart I will find you something that will make you happy, happy, happy so no one will know that this NEW flooring was not in the original plan. So you must be prepared to...
3. Be flexible:
Back to that flooring...so you found the one of your dreams...but it may not be in the budget. Do we pout? Noooooo....we find an alternative. SPEAK to your designer. Don't be afraid to ask if she has discounts. Chances are, she does! I sure do! I always make it a point to pass on my discounts to my clients. What? Why? Because a) I want them to be happy, happy, happy! and b) It saves them money!
And it may not be flooring. It could be a countertop, furniture, hardware, sinks, tubs...there is always room to save if you can be flexible! Let's have a look....
Furniture - decide if you HAVE to have an original piece. Maybe you don't. Alternatives are always available.
Flooring: These floors range from $ 3 sq ft up to $ 16 sq ft. Can you tell the difference?
Be open to alternatives. They're out there. And please, don't be afraid to ask. Part of a designer's job is to source these things for you. We know where the hidden gems are. You might be gasping for air thinking about having to pay someone to source these things for you but what takes me an hour may take you months and your time is valuable too! And chances are you simply will not find what your designer can, and certainly not at the same price. So open your mind to the possibilities and be flexible - we're here to help!
5. Be a realist:
Three years ago you purchased a brand, new home! Congratulations! You adore the house, you love the neighbourhood and now your family has grown. That unfinished basement, filled with boxes that were never unpacked, (throw them out, you haven't opened them in three years - you don't need anything inside if they haven't been touched in that long! You're grandmother's dishes do NOT fall into this category, of course!) is now much needed space for your growing family. It's time to make it usable space!
This WILL cost you money and more than you expect, I suspect. We recently quoted a project - new walls, floors, plumbing, electricity, a new bathroom - the works! Immediately, upon entering, the client says..."My brother told me....My father-in-law told me...My friend told me..." STOP the car! It's never (or at least rarely) what people tell you.
So your friend told you that installing ceramic in the bathroom is a 2-hour job. Then have your friend do it. Really. It may look easy but I can assure you, it's not. We have people on our team who are specialists. Yes...specialists in tile, specialists in flooring, specialists in electrical work. Why? Because you want it done correctly. Let's be realists. We ALL watch those DIY shows. We can all Google "installing tile" - will the tile still look good in 6 months? Does it even look good now? Is it grouted properly? Is it falling off the wall 2 months later? Are all your grout lines even and lined up?
You want the right people for the right job. If I could count the number of times we've heard, "Oh, we should have hired your team" or "I had no idea..." We HAVE been called in to clean up other people's messes. More than once.
So that project? The client had $ 5000 in mind. Wasn't realistic - wasn't even close. That price wouldn't even cover your material costs. Do your homework. And please...
6. Compare Apples to Apples: This is a VERY important point - one that can save you time, money and a whole lot of stress. This should probably be your first point of reference when you've decided to go ahead.
When you're comparing quotes from contractors, save yourself a lot of grief by ensuring you ARE comparing apples to apples. Questions to ask yourself when doing your estimate homework...
1. Have all my contractors quoted from the same to-do list?
2. Have all my contractors quoted the same space?
3. Have all my contractors included the same material budget?
4. Have all my contractors included the time to carry out the work?
5. Did my "wishlist" change from Contractor A to Contractor B? Did I take these changes into consideration when comparing quotes?
6. Have I taken on some of the labour myself and not told my contractors?
Why are these points important?
You've sagely reviewed your wishlist and have changed direction due to time and/or money constraints. Well done!
Contractor A however has provided you with a quote for the original work you requested. Have you asked them to requote based on your changes? We hope you have! Because if Contractor A is still bidding on the more comprehensive package, his pricing will not be in line with Contractor B, who had bid on a smaller work package. It would then be normal for Contractor A to be more expensive so don't throw him out yet!
If the work package has changed, allow all your contractors to requote. And review their submissions, carefully. It's easy to look at the bottom line - PRICE. Your price however should not be the sole driving force. That rock bottom price you jumped on? It may not include ALL the work you've asked for or it may not be as detailed as you would have liked.
Do ensure you are comparing apples to apples - as in the SAME work package. This will impact your bottom line. Have a $ 2000, $ 5000 or $ 10,000 discrepancy between contractors. Why? Ask them. They will answer and they will tell you why. It could be their labour rate, they may have quoted a higher material cost (flooring, cabinetry...) - questions are allowed and most welcome!
Quality has value. This applies to both material and labour. Again, do your homework. Look at their past work, review their testimonials, do that homework!
7. Expect the best:
You are investing in your home and should expect the best! Do your research and make an informed decision. Hopefully you have received sound advice and the renos and/or designs will increase the value of your home. That's what it's all about isn't it? Making your home stand out and increasing its value!
That being said, you MUST be clear with the contractor.
They should be clean (no, there is no reason for them to leave their "stuff" in the house after they leave for the day. The work space should be cleaned up daily and the space somewhat functional while they are gone (to an extent, of course!). Their garbage is not your garbage (lunch wrappers, coffee cups...). They should sweep up and clean as much as they can at the end of each day.
Give them hours and access and respect that. If they work from 7:00am to 4:00pm every day and you're ok with that, please don't change the schedule. They are working to accommodate your time frame to finish the work and can't do that if access is limited. As such, you should also expect them to be there on time and finish their day on time. Unless they have asked you for an additional hour in their day, remember, it's your home - your rules.
Don't "let things go" because of a rush or because you want them to finish faster. See nails that haven't been plugged or an area that needs touch-up paint? ASK them. They've promised you a job well done and you're paying for it. Get what you want.
KNOW what you're paying for. If you haven't paid for them to paint - please don't expect them too. Make sure your scope of work is clear and concise. This will save you and your contractor disappointment.
We want to make our clients happy. We want to be recommended. Work with us through every phase of your project and you will get what you want :-)
8. Enjoy it:
It doesn't have to be a nightmare. You've hired the best now. Relax and enjoy the process. Much of the fun is in the planning! And just think of the end result! Now go ahead, put up your feet, relax and enjoy!
Phancy Design, your specialists in Home Staging, Interior Design and Renovations
